INTRODUCTION TO HAWAI'I GALLERY

No longer a Polynesian paradise inhabited by competing factions on its islands, though Hawai段 is still an island chain inextricably tied to volcanoes. Vestiges of the native Hawaiian culture are memorialized, but that Protestant missionary-founded school, Punahou continues to breathe life thanks to Hawai段痴 post-colonial elite while the Kamehameha Schools need to continue fighting to protect their aim to serve the indigenous Hawaiians. Monk Seal and hono live astride imported geckos, birds and tropical flowers. Hawai段痴 son, Daniel Inouye, passes before another island sunset.

Hawai段 is many things to many people. These pictures are from a short return visit after having lived there for about a year a few years back. Having grown up in Southern California, Hawai段痴 beaches is not what is most distinctive about the islands but rather, the volcanoes and flowers, while remnants of native Hawaiian culture are difficult to find unless they can be commoditized. There is something awesome about seeing active lava flows in person perhaps because they remind us how land is formed at one time liquid and too hot to support life as we know it and yet cooled over time, what helps provide us with sustenance. The shape of dried lava flow, black with hints of red iron, when it still retains the memory of its liquid past is a marvel of ripples, folds, bubbles, reflective sheen made more spectacular when green plant life begins to pop up between cracks. It痴 these rich volcanic soils, the rains and warm weather which make the islands wonderful greenhouse to the world痴 flowers which seem to appear in colors more bold than most places. The tiki of Pu置honua O Honaunau are a reminder of the pre-colonial era of Hawai段 before American Protestant missionaries persuaded the natives to abandon their religion for the religion of Mammon and shame while abstract etches in stone reveal the importance of rowing, surfing and turtles to the old life.

(If you are interested in Hawai'i's history, please check out http://www.johnsheaodonnell.com/HawaiianHistory)